Nnamdi O.

Nigeria-USA

27, Lawyer
Washington, DC

My family flew into the united states 22 years ago on my mother’s H-1B visa because the United States needed highly qualified, well-educated doctors. From there, we have spread to seven of the 50 states, from the most rural to the most urban of places, and almost everything in between. My family entered the United States due to national recognition for the need for more skilled specialists. My family brings with it a lawyer, a doctor, a teacher, engineers, Silicon Valley experience, and children with bright futures. My parents became citizens at the same time that I first studied the United States Constitution and civics in a public school classroom.
We now have dual citizenship, and despite barbs, insults, assumptions and attacks, we stay in the hopes that we can help this country be what it claims to be.

Why did your family come to the United States?My family came to the United States to make a difference in a country that we thought would value our talents.

What would the U.S. be missing out on if you or your people were banned?Banning me means losing one of the country's hardworking citizens. Banning my people, Nigerian-Americans, means losing the most educated group of Americans per capita. Banning any people means losing American aspirations and values.